The idea of storytelling goes beyond the borders of language, culture, or traditional education, and has historically been a tie that bonds families, communities, and nations. Digital storytelling offers opportunities for authentic academic and non-academic literacy learning across a multitude of genres. It is easily accessible to most members of…

This material provides students with information to prepare for a mock trial. The defendant in this case has been accused of the crime of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages causing severe bodily injury. Case materials include stipulated facts, jury instructions, depositions, and other related materials. (EH)

All evening on election night 2000, candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore were deadlocked in the tightest-ever race for the office of President of the United States. As the numbers were reported from each state, the battle for votes in the electoral college swung back and forth from Republicans to Democrats. The next morning, the issue was still…

Since the end of the Cold War, and more recently since September 11, 2001, relations between the United States and Russia have reached new levels of cooperation and accommodation. At the same time, many important developments in Russia remain cloaked by government intrigue or obscured by the complexity of Russia's political and cultural past. This…

This mock trial curriculum is intended to help high school students learn about the law and the legal system. The curriculum is divided into the following sections: Statement of the Case, Stipulations, Legal Authorities, Witness Statements/Narrative Report (Prosecution Witnesses; Defense Witnesses), and Exhibits (Statement of Miranda Rights; Front…

This curriculum material, part of a continuing series on current and historical international issues, addresses the issues arising from the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. On the morning of September 11, 2001, as people watched in horror, terrorist attacks were successfully launched against the United…

This teaching unit, one of a series of eight, contains an overview, objectives, suggested teaching procedures, and expanded activities. In the three learning activities provided, students are presented with real situations that businesses faced during the Depression. They are asked to make decisions for each situation based on three different…

In this simulation, secondary students explore the potentials for cooperation and conflict that have existed in relation to control of the seas. Through playing roles of decision makers of various nations, students learn about issues and positions involved in exploiting the wealth of th sea, including minerals, oil, and fish. (RM)

This simulation allows students to learn about the struggle of daily life in Plymouth Colony. Students experience the hardships of life in the New World as they make decisions and face consequences as the Pilgrims did nearly 400 years ago. The unit is divided into nine phases with each phase taking approximately one hour of class time. Students…

This simulation is intended to help secondary students better understand the workings of administrative agencies. The setting is an environmental controversy (preservation of a valley as a wilderness area or converting it to a recreation area); however, the general idea can be easily adapted to almost any functioning administrative agency. (RM)

The California city of Rancho Cucamonga has been given the task of developing a 4-square-mile area into a productive venture. There is already freeway access and a cargo railroad line, but sewer lines and various other services must be added. This lesson plan stipulates that student teams, each representing a specific interest in the business…

In this lesson, junior high students consider two instances of exponential population growth--one at the local community level and one at the world level--as a way of illuminating some of the problems posed by growth and the limits that may curtail it. (RM)

This simulation allows students to experience the mystery of exploration and the hazards and perils of colonial life. Students are divided into 4- to 6-person colonizing groups. After acquiring some background information they then become colonists. They spend the remainder of the simulation making decisions, working, coping, surviving, and…

This simulation allows students to participate in situations and events similar to those experienced by pioneers who headed west in early wagon trains. Students face problems such as floods, droughts, blocked trails, snakes, Indians, and the lack of food. Students must make numerous individual and small-group decisions that provide them with a…

This lesson plan calls for first-grade students to plan a special "Parent Night" as an activity so parents can take a tour and get acquainted with the school. The lesson plan sets out the task in a letter from the principal; presents the day-by-day (11 days), step-by-step (three or four steps each day) process, including conclusion and…